coobybook Chapter 263: Family law service
Chapter 263: Family law service
Once Wanxia's figure disappeared, Cui Zhe waved his hand, and the guards hurriedly escorted Cui Zhihao towards the ancestral hall.
Under the cover of night, the ancestral hall was quiet and eerie, its eaves and brackets hidden in the darkness, like a lurking beast.
Upon seeing the master and the head of the household arrive, the guards hurriedly opened the door. The head maid quickly lit the candles, laid out a soft cushion, and then led the others to bow and retreat.
After everyone had dispersed, Cui Zhe could no longer contain his anger. He turned around abruptly, his eyes wide with fury: "Cui Huai'an of the Cui family, kneel down now!"
Choi Ji-ho paused, but did not resist. He knelt down, facing the ancestral tablets.
“The unworthy descendant Cui Huai’an of the Cui family has disgraced the family and committed grave sins, all because of his own obsession, which has brought shame upon the family.”
Cui Zhihao’s voice was low but firm: “Today, Cui Zhihao requests to be removed from the family genealogy. From now on, he will no longer identify himself as a member of the Qinghe Cui clan. He hopes that his ancestors will not blame his parents and that everything will be up to him.”
After speaking, he bowed his head and kowtowed, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Cui Zhe trembled with rage, pointing his finger at Cui Zhihao: "You have been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, and you are knowledgeable in propriety and righteousness. How could you be bewitched by that vixen! My Cui family has a long-standing reputation for integrity. Is it worth it for you to abandon the family honor and your future wealth for her?"
Cui Zhihao raised his head, the flickering candlelight reflecting the resolute look on his face: "Uncle, Miss Shi is an orphan with no one to rely on, and she is kind-hearted. I know her and we have come to know each other, and I cannot stand by and watch her be bullied. My family has been very kind to me, but I cannot control my emotions. I can only apologize with this."
Cui Zhe laughed angrily: "Fine, what a fine excuse for being unable to control your emotions! I'd like to see how long you two can hold out in Chang'an without the protection of the Cui family."
At this moment, the wind howled outside the ancestral hall, as if lamenting this family rift.
Cui Zhihao was filled with mixed feelings. He knew that the road ahead was full of thorns, but when he thought of Shi Wanxia's smiling face and her delicate yet stubborn figure, he felt that even if millions of people blocked his way, he would have no regrets.
Meanwhile, in the side room, Shi Wanxia was in a state of turmoil. The food on the table had long since lost its heat.
She listened to the wind outside the window, her heart filled with thoughts of the ancestral hall, and secretly prayed that Cui Zhihao would not be punished too severely.
As a prestigious family, the Cui clan of Qinghe had strict clan rules and was highly honored. Every action of its members was related to the family's reputation.
That night, the candlelight flickered in the ancestral hall, casting shadows on the ancestral tablets, as if the spirits of the ancestors were also gazing upon this family storm.
Cui Yan, the current head of the Cui family, stood tall and imposing, exuding an aura of authority that made the spacious ancestral hall seem somewhat smaller.
His gaze was piercing as he stared intently at his nephew Cui Zhihao, who was kneeling on the ground. His voice was deep yet resounding: "Huai'an, have you really thought this through? For a mere woman, you're willing to abandon the family honor of the Qinghe Cui clan, which has been passed down through generations? What kind of bewitching potion has she given you, and what kind of sorcery has she cast?"
Choi Ji-ho was slender but had a straight back. Upon hearing this, he slowly straightened up and met his uncle's scrutiny with an open gaze.
“Uncle, Miss Shi is just an ordinary woman with a humble background. I have made it clear that this matter is entirely my own obsession and has nothing to do with her. This choice is my own, and I hope that you will understand and grant my request.”
Cui Yan seemed to have been struck in the heart by these words. He suddenly clutched his chest, where a ball of anger seemed to be burning his heart and lungs. He staggered back two steps, his eyes filled with heartache and deep disappointment as he looked at Cui Zhihao.
"Fine, since you're determined to go your own way, I won't waste any more words."
He took a deep breath and tried his best to calm himself down.
"According to the ancestral teachings, any member of the Cui family who wishes to leave the family must be punished with fifty lashes. Once removed from the register, you will have no further connection with the Cui family for the rest of your life. You will not be allowed to set foot in Qinghe County, and you will not be allowed to worship your ancestors during festivals. Your parents and brothers will be treated as strangers. Are you still determined to do this?"
Cui Zhihao's eyes reddened, and a surge of bitterness welled up in his heart. It was the pain of severing blood ties with his family, and also the fear of the unknown future.
But when he thought of Shi Wanxia's pitiful eyes, gentle smile, and her loneliness and helplessness in her predicament, endless courage welled up in his heart.
After a long silence, he straightened his posture and spoke with a resolute tone like cold iron: "Yes, nephew is willing to leave and accept all punishment. I humbly request the head of the family to grant me permission!"
Cui Yan was taken aback at first, then threw his head back and burst into laughter. The laughter echoed in the ancestral hall, filled with grief and helplessness. "Hahaha, good! What a lovesick fool! Since that's how it is, I'll grant your wish. Guards, bring out the family law!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a servant was ordered to rush to the door.
In the blink of an eye, the butler, holding a long, gilded box in both hands, strode forward, knelt down, and raised the box high above his head.
“Master, head of the family, the family rules are here. I hope that you will consider the Second Young Master’s usual virtue and be lenient in your punishment.”
The steward looked pleading. He could see that the Second Young Master Cui had always been kind and benevolent. Today, he must have been blinded by love and acted impulsively. How could he bear to suffer such harsh family discipline?
Cui Yan seemed determined, ignoring the steward's pleas, and stared intently at Cui Zhihao: "Cui Huai'an, a member of the Cui family, before the spirits of our ancestors, I ask you one last time, do you truly wish to relinquish your citizenship?"
Cui Zhihao's face was pale, but he gritted his teeth and straightened his back again: "Yes, I beg the patriarch to grant my request."
"Hmph, stubbornly obstinate!" Cui Yan angrily flung his sleeves and gritted his teeth, shouting, "Guards, carry out the execution!"
In an instant, the executioner stepped forward with a whip in hand, the tip of the whip dragging on the ground with a rustling sound, like a death symphony.
Cui Zhihao closed his eyes, and his mind flashed back to childhood memories of playing in the courtyard, his parents' doting affection, his brothers standing side by side, and Shi Wanxia's every smile and frown.
As the first lash whistled down, he groaned, but his back did not bend even slightly.
The night was thick and dark. Inside the ancestral hall of the Cui family in Qinghe, the candlelight flickered wildly in the wind, casting distorted shadows that resembled grotesque ghost faces.
The executioners stood tall and expressionless, their whips gleaming coldly in the candlelight. Their orders were to carry out the punishment according to the law.
Therefore, each lash was merciless, using all his strength, the tip of the whip slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
After only five lashes, Cui Zhihao's forehead was covered in sweat, and large beads of sweat rolled down his handsome but now distorted face, soaking his clothes.
The pain was like a venomous snake bite, and he could no longer bear it. He let out a soft groan, and his body trembled uncontrollably, like a withered leaf in a storm, teetering on the verge of falling.
Cui Zhe and Cui Yan stood side by side, looking at their nephew being tortured, their eyes filled with helplessness and heartache.
Cui Zhe frowned and sighed inwardly: Huai'an, this child, usually seems clever and sensible, how come he is so stubborn on this matter? If he just gave in now and didn't leave the family, why would he have to suffer like this?
Unable to bear the thought, he stepped forward and loudly advised, "Huai'an, it's not too late for you to back out now. Don't be stubborn!"
Cui Zhihao was in so much pain that his vision blurred, but then he heard his uncle's words.
Forcing himself to stay alert, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Cui, but my mind is made up. I beg you to grant my request!"
Although the voice trembled and was weak, it conveyed an undeniable firmness.
Cui Zhe stamped his foot in anger, glaring at him with exasperation: "You fool, are you really going to sacrifice your whole life for that woman?"
Helpless, he waved his hand. The ancestral laws were strict, and since the punishment had already begun, he could not stop halfway. He could only let Cui Zhihao suffer the consequences. "Keep hitting him!"